al-Mawrid al-Adhb al-Zulal fi Kashf Shubah Ahl al-Dalal (Matbu within al-Rasail wa al-Masail al-Najdiyya, al-Juz al-Rabi, al-Qism al-Awwal)
- Author died
- 1285 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-‘Āṣimah
al-Mawrid al-Adhb al-Zulal fi Kashf Shubah Ahl al-Dalal ("The Sweet, Pure Spring in Exposing the Doubts of the People of Misguidance") is a theological and polemical treatise by the Najdi scholar Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan Al al-Shaykh (1193–1285 AH / 1779–1868 CE) . The work was written as a critical refutation of an anonymous tract composed by an individual from the region of al-Kharj in Najd, addressing theological misconceptions regarding the declaration of faith (shahada), excommunication (takfir), and the boundaries of Islamic monotheism (tawhid) .
Background and Purpose
The treatise was motivated by the circulation of a text by an unnamed writer who had shifted between two theological extremes . According to Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan, the opponent had initially engaged in excessive takfir prior to certain political and religious upheavals, declaring Muslims to be disbelievers over matters not deemed as such by scholarly consensus . Subsequently, the writer pivoted to the opposite stance, arguing that anyone who merely utters the testimony لا إله إلا الله ("there is no god but Allah") is an inviolable Muslim (muslim ma'sum) regardless of any beliefs, statements, or actions they might commit . To counter what he viewed as widespread falsehoods that could mislead unlearned Muslims, Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan wrote this treatise to elucidate the precise prerequisites, meaning, and invalidators of the testimony of faith .
Content and Themes
Abd al-Rahman ibn Hasan begins with an exposition of the meaning and conditions of la ilaha illa Allah, explaining that it necessitates negating divinity from all creation and dedicating all acts of worship solely to God . He emphasizes that merely uttering the phrase with the tongue without understanding its meaning, fulfilling its requirements, or avoiding its contradictions is of no spiritual benefit .
The author focuses extensively on three primary nullifiers (nawaqid) of monotheism:
- Polytheism in worship (al-shirk fi al-ibada): Directing acts of worship—such as supplication, hope, reliance, and seeking aid (istighatha)—to any entity other than God, which nullifies one's faith and deeds .
- Internal approval of polytheism (inshirah al-sadr bi-al-shirk): Harboring affection for polytheism or its adherents, which the author argues invalidates monotheism even if the individual does not directly practice polytheism .
- Alliance with polytheists (muwalat al-mushrikin): Aiding, supporting, or siding with disbelievers against Muslims through physical actions, words, or wealth .
Throughout the work, the author anchors his arguments in Quranic exegesis and citations from classical scholars, including Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Ibn Taymiyya, and Ibn Kathir . He also draws upon early Islamic historical reports, such as Khalid ibn al-Walid's interrogation of Mujja'ah ibn Murara during the Ridda wars, as cited in Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's Mukhtasar al-Sira .
Transmission and Publication
The work is also referenced in biographical and bibliographical literature under slight variations, including al-Adhb al-Zulal fi Kashf Shubah Ahl al-Dalal and al-Mawrid al-Adhb al-Zulal fi Naqd Shubah Ahl al-Dalal . A notable manuscript copy was transcribed by Abdullah ibn Ibrahim al-Ruba'i on 5 Ramadan 1346 AH .
The treatise was printed under the patronage of King Abdulaziz Al Saud within the fourth volume (part one) of the compilation Majmu'at al-Rasa'il wa al-Masa'il al-Najdiyya and has likewise been published as an independent volume .
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